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Sarah W. "Si" Ganfield, 91, of 1114 Pine Street, Marquette, passed away peacefully Friday evening, September 3, 2010 in the presence of her loving family and friends, and in the care of Lake Superior Hospice.

Mrs. Ganfield was born on December 2, 1918 at Randall, Minnesota, the 5th of 13 children to the late George and Clara (Portz) Calhoun. A 1937 graduate of Little Falls High School, Si met her husband, Clifford Ganfield, while working as a waitress at the Sands Café in Little Falls. They were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Little Falls on November 9, 1941. They first set up a home in St. Cloud, MN, remaining there through the time Cliff was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, they moved to Kingsford, Michigan in 1947, and in 1952, they settled in Marquette where they had resided ever since.

Si had a hardworking spirit of caring for others which evolved during her younger years as she assisted in the care of her siblings. While raising her six children, Si worked as a waitress for 17 years at the former White Star Restaurant, which later became the Coachlight Restaurant, in Marquette. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church as well as its Altar Society where she assisted in their many charitable projects over the years.

Si was never happier than when she was with her family and never passed up an opportunity to visit them or have them into the family home. This emphasis on family is the legacy she passes on to her children and grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, cooking and entertaining.

She is survived by six children: Karen (Gary) Everson of Mission Viejo, CA, Richard (Julie) Ganfield of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Dianne (Tim) Bennett and Mary Ganfield, both of Marquette, Dale (Lucy) Ganfield of Apex, NC and Sara (Brian) VanDeKreeke of Green Bay, WI; 14 grandchildren: Richard Everson, Colleen Everson, Robert (Barbara) Everson, Alexa (Chris) Ellswood, Nathan (Tawnya) Ganfield, Kelly (Greg) McQuillan, Katie (Tim) Green, Anna (Jake) Edwards, Molly Bennett, Ryan Ganfield, Brianna Ganfield, Monica (Justin) Moore, Allen VanDeKreeke, and Claire VanDeKreeke; 18 great grandchildren: Danny & Drew Everson, Emily, Sara & Jenna Everson, Marissa & Emma Ellswood, Ambrose, Xavier, Lauren & Ashlyn Ganfield, Nicholas, George & Tulah McQuillan, Theresa Green, Benny & Clayton Edwards, and Jimmy Bennett; three sisters: Ann Hansen of Benecia, CA, Dona (Gene) Bittrolff of Conroe, TX and Clare (Wally) Ritchie of Salem, MA; two brothers: Richard (Darlene) Calhoun of Danville, CA and Clarence "Speed" (Gayle) Calhoun of San Jose, CA; also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as faithful and loving caregivers: Lois Stanley, Mary Peterson & Sally Schneider.

Preceding her in death besides her parents was her beloved husband, Clifford Ganfield, on December 2, 1994; three brothers: George, Tom and Ray Calhoun; four sisters: Peggy Round, Catherine Bednark, Bea Monahan and Rosemary Calhoun.

Friends may call at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette on Friday, September 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. where recitation of the rosary will take place at 7:10 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, at 11 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. Larry VanDamme officiating. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Ganfield, Ryan Ganfield, Allen VanDeKreeke, Chris Ellswood, Jake Edwards, Greg McQuillan, Tim Green and Rob Noel. Honorary bearers are Robert Everson and Richard Everson.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the Bay Cliff Health Camp, Big Bay, MI 49808 or the St. Michael Church Altar Society, 401 W. Kaye Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mrs. Ganfield's memory. Si's obituary can also be viewed at www.canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.